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Hi I'm Nielsen

I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I work in technology and consider myself an entrepreneur. I've started and sold 3 of my companies, all of them on the cutting edge of Internet technology and communications to major corporations around the world.
Unfortunately, my work activities has made me and others consider me a workaholic. After seeing how quickly life has passed by, I'm trying to reform myself, and place more of my emphasis on my family and my faith.

Why I am a Mormon

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I've studied religion extensively. I graduated from 4 years of religious seminary and served as a full-time missionary for two more in the Philippines working with people of all faiths. When I read the scriptures and compare it to what I believe, it is entirely consistent with everything in my faith as a Mormon. For example: God has always called prophets to teach and guide his people since the beginning of time, this shouldn't be any different today. Scripture is the living word of God that has been recorded by righteous leaders since the beginning. I don't believe the heavens are closed.
Like the Catholic or Jewish religions, I believe that the authority or priesthood to act in the name of God is necessary and also that there are certain worship ceremonies and symbolism important to my faith through certain rights and rituals. And like all Protestant denominations I believe that there was a fundamental departure from the organization and teaching established by Christ himself during his ministry. However, rather than a reformation by scholars, I believe in a RESTORATION by God himself through modern day prophets, much like he did with Moses, Abraham and others in times of old. Because of my belief that God was part of the RESTORATION, this provides the proper authority, and correct teachings to the exactness that God intended. A restoration with a modern day prophet is the only way this could be accomplished if there actually was a departure from truth as Protestants believe.
As I read the Bible, and the Book of Mormon, I see the harmony that they have among each other, and the harmony and peace that it speaks to my spirit and mind amidst a life of turmoil and the Spirit of God testifies further to me that this is correct and true.

How I live my faith

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On a day to day basis, I need to make a conscious choice to choose right or wrong. I do my best to be an honest, hard working person. I try to be a good father and husband by trying to teach these principles to my children and positively influence others around me. I participate in my community though various events when I can. In my Church, I currently serve our local congregation as a Sunday School teacher to the 16-18 year old teenagers. I've taught this class for the last 7 years and I love it.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that I entered into a covenant with him. To keep his commandments, and live by faith. It all started when I entered into a covenant with Christ when I was baptized. If I do my best, and have faith, the Atonement of Jesus Christ will take care of the rest. This brings me satisfaction and peace in knowing this. Acts 2:38 says that we should be Baptized for the "remission" of sins. Other versions of the Bible might use the word "forebearance". Like cancer that is in "remission", my sins will be in remission, as long as I continue in this covenant with God.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Nielsen

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Absolutely not! Often people mis-understand why we even discuss Joseph Smith. We view Joseph Smith as a prophet and a key part of the restoration to the truth about our knowledge and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore he is often revered much like others might do so for Paul the Apostle or even Moses. Because Joseph Smith is more recent than someone like Moses, and because his role was so important to our modern day due to the clarity about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it's important. The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ. Every ordinance we perform, every prayer that we say, and all testimonies that are given are in the name of Jesus Christ. We don't revere Joseph Smith any differently than the Lutherans or Protestants revere Martin Luther or John Calvin. Some of those faiths actually have the names of those people in the name of their church, I don't believe they are worshiping them, but rather identifying a level of respect.
Consider how Moses would be perceived and portrayed if he actually lived in our time?
To conclude, one of my favorite quotes by Joseph Smith is this: "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended unto heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." ~Joseph SmithShow moreShow less

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Nielsen

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This month I will celebrate 14 years of marriage with my wife. I believe through my faith, that I can be with her forever, and that my family will be together forever.
Why is it that people naturally yearn for love and togetherness and express it in terms of being together "forever"? This desire is evident in poems, songs and general thought. Tree's are carved with a couples initials followed by "4Ever". Popular songs say "I'm going to love you forever". Movies display long awaited re-unions in Heaven of loved ones. This thought is not new, it's inside all of us innately as a term of endearment and evident when we discuss our love to those who mean the very most to us. Yet, the same people get married in a church that terminates their marriage at death, even though this is contrary to everything they feel inside and express through their inner love. I wonder if they have ever considered if such a belief is Biblical and what his plan really is?
I personally know that families can be together forever if done so with the same authority Christ gave to his Apostles. It's important to note that I believe this, not only from Biblical teachings, but from those of prophets, like Moses, to whom this was revealed to. To learn more, click around this site or lds.org. I will now explain my personal belief in eternal families at a very high level using the Bible.
Our first parents, Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden together, and they were married. Genesis 2:18 "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone I will make him an help meet for him." They were in a state of grace, even innocence with God. There was a Tree of Life that if eaten, would have let them live forever. All Christians believe that Christ redeemed all mankind from the fall so that we can get back to that same condition. If they were married before the fall, why should they not be married after the fall when they are redeemed restored through the Atonement of Christ back to that same state?
Generally Christians believe that the fall of man was NOT intended or should not have happened. Therefore, if there wasn't a fall, then Adam and Eve would have stayed married forever in that same state. But since there was the fall and because of Christs redemption, we are restored to this same state.
Furthermore, marriage is ordained of God. Whatever he has put together, let no man put asunder. God sanctioned marriage. Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." If Marriage is ordained of God, it shall be so forever. In fact, when you consider the keys given to Peter. Marriage can be forever. In Mathew 16:18-19 Christ gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter, that whatsoever he "bound" on earth shall be bound in Heaven. Any marriages that he performed would likewise be bound in Heaven where we will live for eternity after our resurrection.
1 Corinthians 11:11 "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." When we go to Heaven, will we not be in the Lord if we aren't married?
1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindered." Emphasis on heirs of the grace of life TOGETHER.
Isaiah 65, Isaiah prophecies about the Millenium and the 1000 years of peace. Isaiah 65:23 "They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them." This clearly distinguishes families will be with their parents. Eternal Families!
Till Death do you part is not in the Bible it is man-made.
Often Mis-quoted or mis-used scriptures regarding this subject:
In Mathew 22:23-32, the Sadducess, who didn't believe in the resurrection came to Christ, not with a real doctrinal question, but rather to tempt him and test him with a story about a woman married 7 times to 7 brothers and asked Christ who's wife she was in the resurrection... and he says "29. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
This isn't addressing a Doctrine on Marriage. They were ridiculing the doctrine of resurrection. In fact, in this story, there is no question who the husband is. It is written in the law and obvious that her husband is the first one. The others can only take her to wife in order to give her an heir child.
Romans 7:2 The context of the Mosaic law, this is only referencing Divorce and re-marry in the Mosaic Law. This has nothing to do with whether or not you can be together forever.
Even though my relationships can be difficult at times, I'm committed to them. I love them! It brings me great peace to know that I am investing my time here for something that will be much better through eternity.Show moreShow less

Why was a Restoration of the Gospel needed? Haven't we always had the Bible?

Nielsen

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A RESTORATION is the only thing that can resolve the bridge between a Protestants need for a reformation, the Catholic need for authority, and the additional witness the Jewish faith needs to convince them that Jesus is the Christ. Show moreShow less

Why don’t Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?

Nielsen

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I get asked this a lot from my friends because I stand apart many times when they are getting coffee in the morning or casual drinks for dinner. I tell them the answer is simple, and to me, it matters not what the food or item is, I merely do it as an expression and symbol of my faith.
I also tell them that this type of request from the Lord to those that follow him is not new. He has always used food in some form as a way to remember him through certain covenants or ordinances. One of the very first commandments from God to Man was 1. To eat anything in the Garden of Eden, 2. they were forbidden to eat the "apple" from the Tree of Knowledge. It seems like a very simple request.
Most of us forget to pray daily, and nothing happens if we don't. But not many of us forget to eat for very long without gentle reminders of hunger. The Mosaic law used this as a daily constant reminder. Followers had to make a choice each day in what they ate to follow him. Everything from the days they ate certain things, how they had to prepare foods, and more specifically the foods they were allowed to eat.
This is a law of more than just good health, it's a law of faith and a symbol of our belief we get to choose daily. It keeps us healthy by avoiding addictive substances and some which may actually impair us from making good judgments.
We also faithfully adhere to the Lords commandment to his followers during the Last Supper to eat and drink in remembrance of his blood and flesh. We do this every Sunday in our worship services which we call the Sacrament. We partake of bread, to remind us of his flesh and resurrection and drink to remind us of his blood shed for our sins and that through the Atonement, ours will be washed clean. This ordinance we do allows us to renew our baptismal covenants with the Lord.
I don't ever feel denied anything, I have the freedom to choose, but I do feel closer to my faith when I consciously choose to do these things as he said "This do in remembrance of me" Luke 22:19Show moreShow less

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Nielsen

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Some of the people I work with have actually asked me this very question. Actually, everyone is allowed into the Temple and have been invited, we merely ask them to prepare themselves to do so from a religious ceremony and rite perspective. This would require faithful membership in our Church. Also, our Temples aren't "Secret". They are sacred. Temples of God have always been sacred that means special and apart from the ordinary. It's not like many Buddhist temples that anyone can walk into on vacation in flip flops and tank tops and snap a few photos of others during their holy or sacred worship ceremonies. This is disrespectful by those who offend, of those worshiping. For those that know better, it is similar to "casting pearls before swine" Mathew 7:6. Anyone is welcome into Mormon weekly services or chapels anytime. Temples are an extra measure of worship, and the intent is to get closer to God by separating ourselves from the everyday.
The Lord has always held temples and other places of worship as sacred and gone to great lengths to keep it that way, this isn't new.
The Garden of Eden was a type of Temple, a place on earth that was separated from the rest of the world where Adam and Eve could walk and talk with God. When they defiled it, they were asked to leave. Moreover, after they left, God placed Angels with flaming swords to guard the entrance so they could not re-enter. Additionally, ancient prophets used mountains as a sacred "Mountain of the Lords House" to escape the everyday world and be closer to God in prayer and worship Micah 4:1-5: Isaiah 2:2 Moses, many of the other prophets and Apostles, even in Christ's life, went into the mountains to separate themselves from the world and get closer to God to receive instruction from God. Even the Temples in the ancient world required certain people or qualifications to enter.
Psalms 24:3-4 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Psalms 93:5 "holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever"
Micah 4:1-2 “1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it. 2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” KJV
Christ tells his disciples not to talk of it:
Mathew 17:1-4,9 “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man,..” KJV
Our bodies can be temples, and we should keep them undefiled.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” KJV
Mathew 7:6“ 6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet…” KJV
Secret or Sacred? Same thing, Christ tells us that it should be kept special. The Temple shouldn't be defiled, neither should our bodies. Something can be defiled with words by talking about it as well. "Taking the Lords name in vain" is an issue of respect and holiness. If the Lord's name can be defiled by talking about it inappropriately, so can his Temples. Holy worship should not be made a mockery of, and isn’t something to be broadcast on television and in front of the spotlights of casual tourists.
Mathew 6
"1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Temples are a very important part of Gods Plan, and one of the greatest testaments to the full restoration of the Gospel. Recent archeological finds such as the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 1950's contained very detailed information about temple ceremonies of the early Christian church. I find it remarkable that almost every ancient religion that can trace itself through the reformation of the 15th century have temples whether they are Christian or not.
Temples were a very important part of Christian worship until the Temple was destroyed. The Temple ceremonies we do and perform match nearly identically with the recent archeological finds restored through a prophet more than a hundred years prior to this discovery. It's gratifying to know that the Lord is always the same today, as he was yesterday. Temple worship was important to HIM then, and it is important to HIM now.
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Who is Jesus Christ? Watch this 60 second video on Christ and His relevance. Learn the names he goes by; The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords. Learn of the greatest gift we can receive, the sacrifice and atonement of his life so we can live again.